Dear Editor,
Guyanese would be proud to have one of their own recognized as a Nobel Laureate.
As the saying goes, no matter where you go in the world today, you are likely to find a Guyanese already living somewhere nearby. This exodus of Guyanese started since the 1960’s when political instability and fear of communism drove away the first set of moneyed people from Guyana.
I remember around 1969, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics at UG, and Economic Advisor to Premier Burnham, Dr. David, presented a paper at UG on population control. He posited that with an average population growth rate of 3%, Guyana’s population would double in 25 years. What this meant was that from a 1960 population base of 750,000, it was projected that by 1985 Guyana will have 1,500,000 people. Since this population lived mainly along the coastline, the GOG would have to commit to major infrastructure development to maintain living standards. Since the country could not afford to invest in such major infrastructure development, it would have to commit to introduce population control measures.
Why I remember that paper was that with such a population growth level, by 2010 there should be about 3,000,000 of us all over the world. We know that we still have approximately 750,000 people in Guyana today; the same as in 1960 so we know that there are a lot of Guyanese out there; the Diaspora. We also know that Guyanese in the Diaspora have excelled in all disciplines and areas of human endeavour, not to mention bending a law or two.
What we do not have is a Guyanese who has won the Nobel Peace Prize. I will not comment on those who have won this prize before; whether they were academics, dictators or warmongers; what I can say is that I am proud to know that a Guyanese has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts on climate change. This is the mother of all achievements, and I for one would like to know that a Guyanese has won such world class recognition; not only will it make me proud but it will make all Guyanese everywhere proud and will serve as inspiration to all future generations to aspire for greatness.
All of us are aware of President Jagdeo’s efforts on climate change while at the same time promoting the economic interests of Guyana. He deserves to be recognized as a Nobel Laureate for his efforts on climate change. And I know the Guyanese in all of us will feel really nice if he gets it. Good luck President Jagdeo.
Yours faithfully,
Sase Shewnarain
